Episode 29: Pacific Wolverine of SDCC2013

Yowza... we leave the geeky world alone for a week and nerddom itself seems to have imploded on itself.  But fret not the dynamic duo of everyday heroes are ready to tackle all of this weeks geek offerings.  We divided and conquered 2 movies this week but we keep it spoiler free with Hammer's review of Pacific Rim and Bat's review of The Wolverine, we cover the behemoth that is San Diego Comic Con, listen as Hammer excitedly regales us with his on site experience and catch up as we lay down all of what we've been watching reading and playing... it's a lot but we hope you enjoy 

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

I've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

Also for those interested here's a link to our San Diego Comic Con 2013 Photo Album where we share just a few of the pics that I took This Comic Con.  Think of them as highlights... when really they are just the few of the pics that I have sorted through so far.  Believe me I took a lot, though not as many of costumes this year.  If you are interested in looking through the whole album then keep an eye out later this week for a link on the facebook as well as on the blog.

• As the geeky silly question for this week how about your opinion on Marvel and DC's panels. Who do you think 'won' comic con and why?  Make sure to either post your answers here in the comments or tweet us @batandhammer.

Well that is all for now but don't forget to join us next week same Hammer Time, same Bat Channel.

-Hammer

Are Video Games Still Fun?

       Hannah Montana the Movie. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. Disney's Up. What do these games have in common? The all have platinum trophies. What else do they have in common? I have the platinum trophies for these games. It used to be I would play only games I was interested in, skipping the games that had no appeal to me. Movie tie-in games, kids games and the majority of shooters. Now with the inclusion of trophies and achievements, I play nearly every game that is released, and rarely is it for fun. Now I do still play games I am interested in and have earned platinums that I am proud of, but the majority of the time it feels more like games are a chore for me. Instead of a release and to play a game for the experience and the story, I am now playing just to hear that little ding. I have an app on my phone that lets me track trophies and compare my trophies to my friends.

I need help.

I need to get back to playing games for the fun and enjoyment of it. I need to come home and relax for a bit, not stress over a level that has been torturing me for days. I need to be less competitive with my friends.

I need more trophies......

Why can't I just play games the way I have been playing for the previous 20 years.

DAMN YOU TROPHIES!!!!!!

Hark, the Bat symbol calls me!

Until we meet again friends

Bat

Bat's Favorite Video Game Villains!

         Every great game and hero needs an equally great villain. Without a villain for the player to truly hate, the experience of finally finishing the game and vanquishing the games final foe does not have the same impact that it should. There are several great villains in video games, ones that sometimes make a mediocre game resonate with the player more than the game itself. And then there are villains that easily steal the show. Villains that sometimes make you want to jump ship and join their team for world domination. Below, in no particular order are my favorite video game villains!

5 - Gannon (Legend of Zelda) Look he stole the Tri-Force and the Princess. For many, myself included Zelda was our first Action/RPG and Gannon has stood the test of time. While I haven't played a Zelda game in years, I still hold a soft spot for Gannon.

4 - Bowser (Super Mario Bros.) Like Gannon before him Bowser was a villain from my childhood that I always enjoyed defeating. You just know he got a raw deal and easily would have trounced that terrorist plumber if the creators didn't have it in for him.

3 - Handsome Jack (Borderlands 2) Blending RPG elements and Diablo loot crazy with a unique art style Borderlands set itself apart from the military shooters which rule the marketplace. With Borderlands 2 Gearbox introduced us to Handsome Jack. His humor, wit, and careless need for destruction was a welcome change to the ever serious villains which liter shooters.

2 - Sephiroth (Final Fantasy 7) Ask any gamer to name a villain and this is most likely to be the first name they speak. For many Sephiroth was the first "adult" villain to grace our video games. We saw him burn towns to the ground, release great titans of destruction and murder an innocent flower girl, all while giving the hint that he was holding back much more devious actions. And can we talk about his song. Still the best villain song ever.

1 - Kefka (Final Fantasy 3) Ok before you yell at me that Kefka was from FF6, just stop. I first played the SNES version when it was 3, so to me it will always be 3. Now with that being said, Kefka is easily my favorite video game villain of all time. Many villains have a master plan of ruling the world, or gathering endless riches, but with Kefka he just wanted to destroy. So much so that he actually succeeded in his plan....mostly. As a villain Kefka enjoyed all the pain and destruction he caused and played with the heroes in ways that really hadn't been seen on home consoles.

So there you have. Bat's favorite video game villains of all time. What are some of your favorite? Leave your answer in the comments below!

Episode 28: Hyperactive Interactive feat. Ken "The Web" Brown

Today we are joined yet again by a friend of yours and ours, Ken "The Web" Brown.  Yes dear listeners he has brought with him another edition of the Web Sense to help us all battle back the fearful bored with some awesome comics!  We also take The Web along for his initial journey through a normal episode of Sprecken ze Geek.  Along this journey we chat up the rebirth of Final Fantasy 14, World of Warcraft, Nintendo's "please be excited" esque moment, Lootcrate, Electro and Mary Jane, Borderlands 2 DLC and a quick revisit of the next gen hardware race so far. 

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

I've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

 As a note we will be taking a break this next week due to SDCC2013, I will be ouside most of the time but i promise to post as many pictures via twitter so be sure to follow me @Krennnkalis.  But fellow geeks don't fret as we will be back in full force after the behemoth known as SDCC is over with and we shall be bringing plenty of stories and as Bat promised we should have a review of "Pacific Rim."

Here are a few of the pictures we referred to this week, honestly though they were all pretty much Amazing Spiderman 2 related.  

What do you think of Electro and the person who used to be MJ?   Be sure to let us know below.

Well that is all for now but don't forget to join us Monday the 29th for our return to the small...speaker? anyways see you next time same Hammer Time, same Bat Channel.

-Hammer

  

Bat's Favorite Video Game Characters!

          Mario, Samus, Master Chief and Kratos. What do these names have in common? All are great video game characters that have survived multiple games and consoles. Earlier on our Facebook and Twitter I asked for everyone's favorite video game characters and I thought I would share mine. I have not included Villains in this list because they will have their own post shortly. These characters are in no particular order and are Bat's characters only. Maybe we can get Hammer to write his own list!


5. Mario (Super Mario Bros.) - How can any list of top video game characters not include Mario. While I have not played a Super Mario Bros. game in some time Mario was my first game and brought me into gaming and for that he will always hold a special place in my heart!

4. Link (Legend of Zelda) - Again another character that I grew up with. I cannot count the number of hours I spent in Hyrule rescuing the Princess but each and every one of them was filled with fun and adventure.

3. Kratos (God of War) - The sad tale of a man forced (perspective) to murder his family and topple the Gods. Kratos gave so much emotion and rage to a character, something that I had never seen in a video game character. And those death scenes!!!!

2. Vivi (Final Fantasy IX) - This is my personal favorite Final Fantasy character of all time (non villain) His story of being a clone and trying to find his place is touching and heartwarming. He shows the best qualities of man, even though he isn't one. Many people still haven't played FFIX, but please do yourself a favor and play this game. You won't be disappointed.

1. Nathan Drake (Uncharted) - Remember when Indiana Jones was fun? That's exactly what Uncharted is. Nathan Drake is the perfect character to lead this franchise with his wisecracks and flare for the dramatic. With the close of the PS3 I cannot wait to see what Nathan has in store for PS4.

There's my list of top video game characters. Who would you add or delete from this list? Leave a comment and let me know

Bat

Episode 27: WWZD?

Run for the hills and hide your brains as we finally take our chances with World War Z.  Though yes it is pretty belated, we opted into the Zombie filled Pitt...get what I did there?  Listen in on our thoughts of how this movie holds up among its summer blockbuster brethren.   We also discuss a heaping helping of game news regarding Double Fine entering it's 'Broken Age' (oh yes the puns keep on rolling), Sales for Xbox/PS3, Oculus Rift and the Omni, our impressions on the special editions of Batman and Killer is dead, People stepping down (Don Mattrick) and people stepping up (James O'barr) and a whole mess of stuff.  **Spoiler-rific Review starts at about 44:43**

You may also notice that we have a new Banner!  That is all thanks to Bat's Lovely Wife.  You can find her on Twitter @Geeksterswhimsy.  We Love it if you can't tell... my Point Break hair is particularly
 awe inspiring.

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

I've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

Here's the IGN Article about World War Z's Alternate ending I mentioned. It has 9 other movies in it that have pretty interesting different takes as well.
*** Be Warned it contains Spoilers (no duh) ***

Here are the two videos I mentioned that will probably better explain what I was talking about the Oculus Rift and the Omni here 

Original Geek.com Article Minecraft Oculus Rift here



Original Geek.com Article Guillotine Oculus Rift here

Well that is all for now but don't forget to join us next week same Hammer Time, same Bat Channel.

-Hammer

Episode 26: Jibba Jabba

Greetings super duper awesome listeners and thanks for tuning into another week in geek with Bat and myself.  While no movies were to be seen this week (though there are plenty out there) time got away from us and instead you are treated to a session of weird banter filled to the brim with tangents.  We talk about E3 fallout regarding missing peripherals, movies that we miss, a lack of geek news and really a whole lot of tangents.  As always let us know what you think and enjoy your week in geek.

Click here to listen to this weeks podcast in iTunes or Sticher.

I've also included the most recent episode via the embedded link below. 

Well that is all for now but don't forget to join us next week same Hammer Time, same Bat Channel.

-Hammer